Top Adur and Worthing council director resigns

John Mitchell (back middle) has resigned as director for communities at Adur and Worthing councils

Oli Poole

Published:13:26Friday 01 April 2016

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A TOP Adur and Worthing council officer has resigned, the Herald can reveal.

Director for Communities John Mitchell will leave in May, after ten years’ service.

He is the latest senior officer to leave, following the resignation of director for the economy Scott Marshall last year – just months into his role.

Chief executive Alex Bailey said: “Personally John has been a source of wise advice to me, working with extraordinary energy and a great deal of knowledge of the history of the organisation and the communities of Adur and Worthing.

“He will be missed by many throughout our communities and I personally wish him all the best for his future.”

Mr Mitchell played a key role in the controversial tendering of the councils’ voluntary services contract, which saw established organisations Voluntary Action Worthing and Adur Voluntary Action lose out.

The council admitted ‘procedural errors’ during the tender process but Mr Mitchell said this did not affect the outcome.

Mr Bailey highlighted numerous achievements in his time as a senior director.

He said: “John has grappled with a number of tricky issues as well as creating and laying the bedrock for the new directorate structure, getting heads of service in post, up and running and providing strong leadership across service areas.

“Under his leadership, the enterprising communities agenda is moving well and some of the innovative work undertaken is being now recognised at national and governmental levels.”

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